tnpir:max_pooper: I think the move for Democrats is to try to get McConnell primaried by donating money to the looniest of derpster primary challengers and then donating money to Judd. She may lose but McConnell will no longer be minority leader and the derper moran will be a freshman senator with far less influence that McTurtle.

Is it really that close? Thunder should be just around the corner... this means winter is almost over :)

Slightly over a month, it's April 20. Keeneland opens April 5, Bluegrass Stakes on the 13th. I'm hoping for good weather this year. Or maybe freezing cold weather... it's fun to watch the "see and be seen" girls shivering in their sundresses when it's 30 degrees out

Pincy:Kentucky is farking retarded anyway. They elected the turtle and Randian Paul as Senators after all. Why would anyone want to be a part of that state?

Because it's beautiful here and we have good people. Despite the populace' propensity to vote against their best interests sometimes, we/they have good hearts. And bourbon. So you stay wherever you are and troll us, Pincy. We're fine without you.

BarefootInTheFark:Pincy: Kentucky is farking retarded anyway. They elected the turtle and Randian Paul as Senators after all. Why would anyone want to be a part of that state?

Because it's beautiful here and we have good people. Despite the populace' propensity to vote against their best interests sometimes, we/they have good hearts. And bourbon. So you stay wherever you are and troll us, Pincy. We're fine without you.

Hell, being Liberal and Latino, I was at odds with 90% of the Kentucky, and I still miss it like crazy.

"Electing Ashley Judd gets a Republican Legislature elected. That's what I see at stake here. Your perspective is different if you're in New York or Los Angeles. They don't live here. We do. Judd's candidacy makes it seamlessly easy to Obama-ize this election," one Kentucky Democratic strategist said.

What A stupid farking thing to say. Yeah, those terrible Obama things like winning the presidency twice, who the fark would want someone in the own political party to actually have a successful ground campaign and win an election despite the attempted disenfranchisement or minority voters? Heaven forbid a negro and a vaginal american hold high office. We can't have that. She also is of child bearing age, so you know she's still getting her monthlies, and what self respecting white male wants to hear about (or suffer through) the maniacal insanity that those of of the ovarian faction inflict upon this fragile earth of ours for up to 10 days a month.

max_pooper:Wasteland: max_pooper: Lord_Baull: pointblank79: Once you get out into the state, though - she's going to lose, and lose big. Like 70/30 big. Outside of the more urban areas, Kentucky is about as red as it gets. Her path to victory is to try to absolutely crush McConnell in the Lexington/Louisville areas.

How much bigger do you think the rural population is vs. urban?

Per the 2010 Census:58% - Metropolitan19% - Micropolitan*23% - Urban

*Micropolitan is defined as a city between 10,000 and 49,999 people. I don't know Kentucky that well but I would assume the demographics of rural areas and cities with less than 50,000 are probably pretty similar.

Source

That's... actually a terrible assessement to go by, from what I can tell. It's tallying counties that share any tie whatsoever to the urban/metro regions and counting them in a block: "adjacent counties that have a high degree of social and economic integration." But their notion of integration seems a little sketchy.

Example: Clark County. Listed as metropolitan, defined there as tied to "a core urban area of 50,000 or more population," in this case Lexington. Yes, it has a lot of economic ties to Lexington/Fayette: a lot of people in Clark county commute there, because that's where the jobs are. So for the source's purposes, maybe that makes sense.

But practically and politically speaking? Winchester is a half-hour from Lexington on the main highway, separated by a whole lot of not much. The county has a total population of around 35,000- and much of it is poor as dirt, conservative as hell, and once you're off the main highway you could just as easily be walking around an Eastern Kentucky subdivision (although the terrain's more level, and you're slightly more likely to see a real live black person there).

Well it's the only published article I could find that broke down the population of Kentucky into percentages of urban and rural areas.

Basically, of the six congressional districts one is solidly blue (3rd in Louisville), one is blue-dog blue and currently Republican (6th in Lex) while the suburbs of Cincinnati (4th) are solidly red in a Catholic kind of way.

Bender The Offender:"Electing Ashley Judd gets a Republican Legislature elected. That's what I see at stake here. Your perspective is different if you're in New York or Los Angeles. They don't live here. We do. Judd's candidacy makes it seamlessly easy to Obama-ize this election," one Kentucky Democratic strategist said.

What A stupid farking thing to say. Yeah, those terrible Obama things like winning the presidency twice, who the fark would want someone in the own political party to actually have a successful ground campaign and win an election despite the attempted disenfranchisement or minority voters? Heaven forbid a negro and a vaginal american hold high office. We can't have that. She also is of child bearing age, so you know she's still getting her monthlies, and what self respecting white male wants to hear about (or suffer through) the maniacal insanity that those of of the ovarian faction inflict upon this fragile earth of ours for up to 10 days a month.

Oh this is going to be entertaining. I've got to wonder if the KY GOP will run horrible ads against her like they ran against Mongiardo ,seriously they compared how he looks to the 9-11 hijackers which is hilarious considering he was born in Hazard,Ky to italian parents. I kinda wish he would run against McConnell but that might be because I've met him and he actually listened to what I had to say even though I wasn't old enough to vote.

Zerochance:BarefootInTheFark: Pincy: Kentucky is farking retarded anyway. They elected the turtle and Randian Paul as Senators after all. Why would anyone want to be a part of that state?

Because it's beautiful here and we have good people. Despite the populace' propensity to vote against their best interests sometimes, we/they have good hearts. And bourbon. So you stay wherever you are and troll us, Pincy. We're fine without you.

Hell, being Liberal and Latino, I was at odds with 90% of the Kentucky, and I still miss it like crazy.

Our politics are farking stupid but for the most part the people are alright. Even in the little town I live in,London,where the county GOP runs everything and there are churches everywhere I haven't seen that much horrible behavior towards people of other races or gay people,not saying it doesn't happen just that it hasn't been constantly horrible. One of my favorite people in my apartment building is an openly gay atheist,he always has the best booze and is someone I can talk to about politics,and I haven't heard or seen anyone being an asshole towards him. I'm beginning to think that either the racist assholes are dying off or they've learned that majority of people don't go for that bullshiat so they keep it to themselves.

shotglasss:She's So Dumb She MaUranus Is Huge!: She suffers from mental illness.

(If she runs, this will be the opposition's favorite canard.)

No , She's Just Extremely Dumb.

As someone pointed out just up thread the woman has earned a Masters Degree. Unless you are holding a PhD you shouldnt be down talking her intelligence, and if you did have a PhD you would know how smart you have to be to earn a Masters Degree.

/hint only about 7% of the adult population has earned one.//dont have one, couldnt afford the cost and grades weren't good enough for a free ride

EyeballKid:uksocal: But how has McConnell done on his one campaign promise from 2006, more earmarks for the state?

Remember when he called it "government waste?" Oh wait, he was talking about money that doesn't go to him...uh, I mean, um, that is, the STATE! Yes, yes, the state, THAT'S where the money goes, no need to investigate, nosirreebob.

/Mitch McConnell, the hooker with a heart of gold

Well heck, if ya want a Kentucky hooker with a heat of gold...

Well, Ava really doesn't have a heat of gold but she's gotta be as devious a Senator Yertle.

US citizen, resident of state, at least 30 years old, a pulse. Brain in head not required. Ashley Judd hits all the marks. I hope she wins. I look forward to her rambling, inappropriately-applied SAT word-riddled diatribes on the Senate floor.

Remember this gem?

"As an actor and woman who, at times, avails herself of the media, I am painfully aware of the conversation about women's bodies, and it frequently migrates to my own body. I know this, even though my personal practice is to ignore what is written about me. I do not, for example, read interviews I do with news outlets. I hold that it is none of my business what people think of me. I arrived at this belief after first, when I began working as an actor 18 years ago, reading everything. I evolved into selecting only the "good" pieces to read. Over time, I matured into the understanding that good and bad are equally fanciful interpretations. I do not want to give my power, my self-esteem, or my autonomy, to any person, place, or thing outside myself. I thus abstain from all media about myself. The only thing that matters is how I feel about myself, my personal integrity, and my relationship with my Creator. Of course, it's wonderful to be held in esteem and fond regard by family, friends, and community, but a central part of my spiritual practice is letting go of otheration. And casting one's lot with the public is dangerous and self-destructive, and I value myself too much to do that... That women are joining in the ongoing disassembling of my appearance is salient. Patriarchy is not men. Patriarchy is a system in which both women and men participate. It privileges, inter alia, the interests of boys and men over the bodily integrity, autonomy, and dignity of girls and women. It is subtle, insidious, and never more dangerous than when women passionately deny that they themselves are engaging in it. This abnormal obsession with women's faces and bodies has become so normal that we (I include myself at times-I absolutely fall for it still) have internalized patriarchy almost seamlessly. We are unable at times to identify ourselves as our own denigrating abusers, or as abusing other girls and women."

Yeah, you BET I want thin-skinned Miss Puffy Face in the Senate! Just someone please remind her to take the hook out of her lip before she starts speaking.

carrion_luggage:Just someone please remind her to take the hook out of her lip before she starts speaking.

If you can't follow that, I suggest rereading some Berenstein Bears.

// was that a speech to a kindergarten class, a TED talk, remarks delivered before Congress, a presser, a college commencement speech; were they prepared remarks or extemporaneous (delivered off-the-cuff)?// and no, I don't remember it

As someone pointed out just up thread the woman has earned a Masters Degree. Unless you are holding a PhD you shouldnt be down talking her intelligence, and if you did have a PhD you would know how smart you have to be to earn a Masters Degree.

/hint only about 7% of the adult population has earned one.//dont have one, couldnt afford the cost and grades weren't good enough for a free ride

Dr Dreidel:carrion_luggage: Just someone please remind her to take the hook out of her lip before she starts speaking.

If you can't follow that, I suggest rereading some Berenstein Bears.

// was that a speech to a kindergarten class, a TED talk, remarks delivered before Congress, a presser, a college commencement speech; were they prepared remarks or extemporaneous (delivered off-the-cuff)?// and no, I don't remember it

I find it funny when people say she - or ANY candidate - doesn't have a chance.

Just in my lifetime we've seen Palin and Ross Perot on the national ticket. Not to mention a number of unqualified/unlikely people in local/state/federal elections.

Hell, the local mayor in my town just closed his retail store and declared bankruptcy and the town council made a statement saying, in effect, that people shouldn't judge his mayor-ing ability based on his business ability...

CptnSpldng:EyeballKid: uksocal: But how has McConnell done on his one campaign promise from 2006, more earmarks for the state?

Remember when he called it "government waste?" Oh wait, he was talking about money that doesn't go to him...uh, I mean, um, that is, the STATE! Yes, yes, the state, THAT'S where the money goes, no need to investigate, nosirreebob.

/Mitch McConnell, the hooker with a heart of gold

Well heck, if ya want a Kentucky hooker with a heat of gold...[t3.gstatic.com image 183x275][img2-3.timeinc.net image 510x317]

Well, Ava really doesn't have a heart but she's gotta be as devious as Senator Yertle.

monoski:SploogeTime: She is not unqualified as far as I know. She is of the minimum age, an American citizen, and resides in the state. Those three things, plus getting oneself elected, are the only qualifications there are.

Second, while wikipedia is great, and I will certainly not trash it as an information source for most purposes, I'm not sure it's the best source for quasi-public and rapidly changing information, such as where a celebrity lives.

Who knows though? Maybe I'm wrong. If they post her cell phone number please call her for me. You can tell I'm free for a date next Wednesday.

Zasteva:monoski: SploogeTime: She is not unqualified as far as I know. She is of the minimum age, an American citizen, and resides in the state. Those three things, plus getting oneself elected, are the only qualifications there are.

Second, while wikipedia is great, and I will certainly not trash it as an information source for most purposes, I'm not sure it's the best source for quasi-public and rapidly changing information, such as where a celebrity lives.

Who knows though? Maybe I'm wrong. If they post her cell phone number please call her for me. You can tell I'm free for a date next Wednesday.

I'm going to be so pissed if the next Wikipedia update, under Ashley Judd's 'Personal Life' is ...currently dating Zavesta...

"As an actor and woman who, at times, avails herself of the media, I am painfully aware of the conversation about women's bodies, and it frequently migrates to my own body. I know this, even though my personal practice is to ignore what is written about me. ...

Never saw or read it before, but you're right to call it a gem. A well written piece by a woman who seems to understand that deriving your self-worth from the media is a fool's game.

Makes me like her even more. I hope she runs -- I'll throw a few hundred toward her campaign.

"Patriarchy is a system in which both women and men participate. It privileges, inter alia, the interests of boys and men over the bodily integrity, autonomy, and dignity of girls and women. It is subtle, insidious, and never more dangerous than when women passionately deny that they themselves are engaging in it."

The patriarchal Devil's greatest trick is persuading people that he doesn't exist.

carrion_luggage:You know the four qualifications to be a United States Senator?

US citizen, resident of state, at least 30 years old, a pulse. Brain in head not required. Ashley Judd hits all the marks. I hope she wins. I look forward to her rambling, inappropriately-applied SAT word-riddled diatribes on the Senate floor.

Remember this gem?

"As an actor and woman who, at times, avails herself of the media, I am painfully aware of the conversation about women's bodies, and it frequently migrates to my own body. I know this, even though my personal practice is to ignore what is written about me. I do not, for example, read interviews I do with news outlets. I hold that it is none of my business what people think of me. I arrived at this belief after first, when I began working as an actor 18 years ago, reading everything. I evolved into selecting only the "good" pieces to read. Over time, I matured into the understanding that good and bad are equally fanciful interpretations. I do not want to give my power, my self-esteem, or my autonomy, to any person, place, or thing outside myself. I thus abstain from all media about myself. The only thing that matters is how I feel about myself, my personal integrity, and my relationship with my Creator. Of course, it's wonderful to be held in esteem and fond regard by family, friends, and community, but a central part of my spiritual practice is letting go of otheration. And casting one's lot with the public is dangerous and self-destructive, and I value myself too much to do that... That women are joining in the ongoing disassembling of my appearance is salient. Patriarchy is not men. Patriarchy is a system in which both women and men participate. It privileges, inter alia, the interests of boys and men over the bodily integrity, autonomy, and dignity of girls and women. It is subtle, insidious, and never more dangerous than when women passionately deny that they themselves are engaging in it. This abnormal obsession with women's faces and b ...

I think it's telling that all shotglasss has is to jump up and down screaming "She's dumb! She's dumb! SHE'S DUMB!" at the top of his squeaky little voice, as if saying it would make it true. A common reaction from men who suspect a woman might be smarter than themselves.